ASCB Statement on Trump Administration Immigration Executive Order

The ASCB strongly condemns President Trump’s Executive Order that prohibits entry into the United States by Muslims from seven countries. We also applaud the rulings by two federal courts that place stays on the sections of the Executive Order that extend to those already granted legal permanent residence or immigrant status.

The constitutionality and legality of President Trump’s decrees will now be adjudicated in courts of law and the morality and ethics of the orders will be debated in courts of public opinion.

Should these orders stand, they will have significant, harmful impact on the United States’ standing as the world leader in scientific research. With the assistance of our immigration laws, our world class research institutions have been the place future scientists have come to learn the secrets of the cell, the atom, and the stars. Many of these immigrants have stayed in the United States and transformed our nation and the world. While many choose to return to their home countries, the opportunity to stay in the United States must remain an option for them if the U.S. is to remain a leader.

Kevin M. Wilson serves as Director of Public Policy and Media Relations for The American Society for Cell Biology. He's worked as the Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Robert Weygand (D-RI) and as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI). He has a BA in Politics and American Government from the Catholic University of America.
Email: kwilson@ascb.org

"ASCB®," "The American Society for Cell Biology®," "Molecular Biology of the Cell®," "DORA®," and "BioEDUCATE®" are registered trademarks of The American Society for Cell Biology. "The Cell: An Image Library" is a common law trademark of The American Society for Cell Biology.